Airborne 12.09.16

Airborne Hi-Def On YouTube

Airborne 12.09.16

Remarks Come During NBAA News Conference Announcing Company
Updates

Hawker Beechcraft president and CEO Bill Boisture had a fairly
pointed message for the Obama Administration during his remarks at
a news conference Sunday morning at the NBAA convention in Las
Vegas. He said policies that have a direct negative impact on what
is arguably the strongest export sector for U.S. manufacturing are
counterproductive. He added that the administration had been
informed of the impacts its policies are having on the domestic
aircraft manufacturing industry, and with the recently-announced
policies still unfavorable to aviation companies, "we must assume
it's intentional. We are approaching it with new resolve."

(L-R) Tannahill, Vick,
Boisture

HBC is working towards building a company structure that
Boisture said is more agile and flexible. He discussed training
initiatives in place for HBC workers including college degree
programs, and outlined the company's growth in
Chihuahua, Mexico.

As to product updates, Boisture said the Hawker AT6 light attack
aircraft program is progressing with testing using most air-dropped
NATO weapons. Executive Vice President Shawn Vick told the media
attending the news conference that the Hawker 200 remains on track,
and that the company will petition the FAA to allow FAR Part 135
charter operators of Hawker 800XP, 800XPR, 850XP and 900XP models
to conduct extended over-water operations such as San Francisco to
Hawaii, without requiring the agency’s Extended Twin-Engine
Operations Standards (ETOPS) approval. ETOPS is an internationally
recognized standard which permits twin-engine business jet aircraft
to fly routes that are up to 180 minutes flying time from the
nearest airport. Based upon a series of extensive testing, Hawker
Beechcraft believes the aircraft has the capability of traveling
the required distance within the allotted time.

Hawker 400

The company also announced the completion of avionics
certification for the Hawker 400. A three-display Pro Line 4 to Pro
Line 21 upgrade for the Hawker/Beechjet 400 replaces the existing
Pro Line 4 displays and upgrades the flight management system to
FMS 6100. With this significant functional enhancement, operators
now have access to electronic charts, XM weather/data, WAAS/LPV,
ADS-B out, VHF datalink and an upgrade path for future airspace
requirements. A two-year Corporate Aircraft Service Program (CASP)
warranty on new and existing Rockwell Collins equipment is included
with the upgrade. The certification aircraft is on display at
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation’s static display at Henderson
Field during the National Business Aviation Association Convention
in Las Vegas.

“For Hawker/Beechjet 400 operators, the Pro Line 4 to Pro
Line 21 avionics upgrade program provides a significant increase in
functionality providing them with more capabilities, more options
and more value,” said Christi Tannahill, Hawker Beechcraft
vice president, Global Customer Support. “The next step in
certification of the Hawker 400XPR program, a four-display version
will certify by early 2012 with new Williams FJ44-4 engines
certifying by mid-2012. Excitement and orders for the airplane are
building.”

Hawker Beechcraft offers customized XPR upgrade packages for
existing aircraft owners and XPR Factory Completed Aircraft for
those who do not currently own a Hawker/Beechjet 400. Both the XPR
upgrade and Factory Completed Aircraft include performance, cost
and reliability enhancements only available through Hawker
Beechcraft. The Hawker 400XPR is the only Hawker/Beechjet 400A
factory-designed, engineered and supported upgrade of this
kind.